Joyce Meyer – Leaving the City of Guilt, Part II

In Part 2, Joyce makes gives commentary on how we do something wrong and hold on to that guilt, and then do something else wrong and hold on to that guilt on top of the other guilt, and continue in this pattern until we’re dragging so much guilt behind us where ever we go. What a burden. What a waste of time and energy. It wastes our time because we spend time thinking out it, and worrying about it, and what does it accomplish? Nothing. We expend all this effort, trying to sort it out in our heads to make sense of it and get some sort of closure so we can move on from it, but yet it never happens. This is not the way I want to live anymore.

“Perfection involves growing. I’ve not arrived but thank God I’m on my way… So stop thinking about what you’re not, and think about the progress you’re making.” This could probably be applied to everyone. We all spend time thinking about what we’re not. A little of this is a good thing, because self-awareness is important if we ever expect to grow – we need to first know where we are and what we are and what we are not. Its only when we dwell on this and acquire guilt from this that leads us to problems. So instead, think about the progress you’re making. Think of where you were a year ago – are you in the same place? Some of us may be tempted to answer yes – I still live in the same town, I’m still at the same job, I still live with my parents, I’m still the same person. But if you look harder, you will probably see that you’ve grown. Well, I did learn a few new skills. And I’m more compassionate now than I was then. Being in the same place on the outside is not the same as being in the same place on the inside.

After reading Romans 6:10-11, Joyce says that we should put aside our lists of what we think we are and aren’t allowed to do – ie that which we fear God will get angry with us for doing – and that the closer you are to God, the more you’re going to instinctively know what is right and what is wrong, and, the more strength He will give you to do the right thing. This, she says, is how to be victorious over sin. So basically, don’t dwell on sin itself but rather live a holy life through God, thus getting the strength to overcome sin in the first place. And you will grow.

When Joyce was living in guilt, she not only worried about her past but also what sins she might keep doing. I really related to that because I have a lot of fear about potential future mistakes I might make. I feel like I for some reason wont be in control of myself later in my life. Like somehow I’ll make a decision I know I shouldn’t make, yet I wont be able to help myself when the time comes. I don’t know. Its not a very rational fear, but then, most fears are irrational.

Here are some of my favorite lines and concepts from part 2:

“When we go to God in prayer, we don’t go in our name, we go in Jesus’ name.”

Pray confidently, fearlessly, and boldly in your time of need.

The Bible says that we shouldn’t sin, but that just in case we do, Jesus has covered it.

To Paul: “You need some of my tapes.” LOL.

And again she reminded me that God wanted to form a relationship with me despite already knowing everything about me. Which is always encouraging to hear.

What did you think of this two part video? In what ways have you grown in the last year? In the last 5 years?